Haha, love those two words, overkill and money is no issue. I am leaning towards the heavier build, as I like shooting my Yugo 59/66. The bench option would another option, but free-hand would be my preference.
Building an AR from scratch. Just like mom used to make.
- Thread starter JimStevenson
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Haha, love those two words, overkill and money is no issue. I am leaning towards the heavier build, as I like shooting my Yugo 59/66. The bench option would another option, but free-hand would be my preference.
I took a look at the barrel, looks decent thanks. Yes, I wouldn't just throw a grand at the barrel for the sake of, but just a reference point in terms of upper limits on that component. I cannot honestly say I have seen a barrel for 1000 bucks!
I have a trigger tech in my 700 and love it, but that being said I’m apprehensive about the “enclosed” trigger pack designs. I’ve only ever run mil spec or Geissele triggers, but I’ve read about issues from trusted sources that over time carbon buildup will accumulate inside the pack and has resulted in thentriggers failing to reset which is the primary reason I’ve never tried one myself (and I’ve always been satisfied with my Geissele triggers) but I’m sure there’s tons of guys who’ve used them to a great extent without issue.
In regards to your budget, (3k on rifle 1k on optics) I always highly advise against people buying fixed power optics like an ACOG. A fixed 4x optic is fine if you’re just sitting around bench shooting but if you ever want to do some dynamic shooting like 3 gun, CQB etc you’re going to realize the downfalls of fixed 4x at closer ranges.
I would however highly recommend you look at some LPVO’s (low powered variable optics if you don’t know) as these offer all the benefits of higher magnification, plus the benefits of 1x. My nightforce NX8 is by far my favorite optic I’ve ever owned on an AR as I have true red dot capabilities at 1x but I can crank it all the way to 8x and make consistent shots a distance.
Now granted, the NX8 comes in at 2400 dollars but there are alternatives. Or you could find 3k is a little much on a rifle and split the budget more evenly at 2k & 2k and now you’ve got a bullet proof rifle with a fantastic optic that’ll last you a lifetime.
I haven’t been able to read ever post here, but since we know your budget it would help to know what your intended purpose with this rifle will be. Slow bench fire? 3 gun/dynamic shooting? Just for ####s n giggles?
3k for the whole rifle (not including optics)?
wow... that should be a very, very, very nice rifle indeed! (Or just a very, very nice rifle with a BUTT TON of ammo!)
Haha, I have to buy ammo for it too??? Yeah, now that I'm a big kid and can afford the toys, I can make up for lost time. My wife all the while is encouraging my hobby, so bless her.
3 grand will get you a top of the heap rig.
OK, I put together the rifle I used for service rifle competition with:
-a 1-8 barrel I machined from a brand x blank. 19", medium light contour. Shot consistent 1 1/2 moa. Shrewd brake.
-Aero upper, Rock River lower.
-tuned issue trigger. Later replaced with a RR 2 stage, which is a very nice, moderately priced unit.
-tubular aluminum handguard.
-A1 stock, grip with a filler for the web.
-Falcon Menace 1 1/2-5 scope (which eventually let me down, badly. Replaced with Leupold 2 1/2 - 8 Mk. !V)
-Colt BCG I'd had for years. Stock buffer & spring.
With this rig, I shot NSCC for the first time; placed 8th in Stage 1 Service Rifle. And that was with 20 points lost because of a stupid ammunition screw-up, entirely my fault.
When that barrel was shot out, groups opening to 2 1/2 minutes, I replaced the whole front end with a complete Armalite assembly.
Point is, you can put together a sweet shooting, competition ready rig well within your budget.
OK, I put together the rifle I used for service rifle competition with:
-a 1-8 barrel I machined from a brand x blank. 19", medium light contour. Shot consistent 1 1/2 moa. Shrewd brake.
-Aero upper, Rock River lower.
-tuned issue trigger. Later replaced with a RR 2 stage, which is a very nice, moderately priced unit.
-tubular aluminum handguard.
-A1 stock, grip with a filler for the web.
-Falcon Menace 1 1/2-5 scope (which eventually let me down, badly. Replaced with Leupold 2 1/2 - 8 Mk. !V)
-Colt BCG I'd had for years. Stock buffer & spring.
With this rig, I shot NSCC for the first time; placed 8th in Stage 1 Service Rifle. And that was with 20 points lost because of a stupid ammunition screw-up, entirely my fault.
When that barrel was shot out, groups opening to 2 1/2 minutes, I replaced the whole front end with a complete Armalite assembly.
Point is, you can put together a sweet shooting, competition ready rig well within your budget.
Okay that's great and thanks for the link. I will add that vendor to the list of possibles. I was thinking of the 223 Wylde, and see a lot of debate on whether to go with that version.
As for barrel length, I thought about mid-length, but heard that the longer barrels and gas systems are easier on the firearm.
Proof Research carbon fiber barrel will run you $1400 - $1500 Canadian Pesos last time I priced one out. Needless to say I didn't buy one lol...
thanks and you brought up some really good points about the enclosed systems. I didn't think about that and will investigate further. I doubt I can just open up the assembly and clean around inside, or perhaps spending 400 bucks on a trigger would include a no questions asked warranty if they fail. That s something to consider and I heard some good things about the G triggers. I think I like the idea of two-stage trigger. My lightest trigger is on my 22 Victory, but the rest of my collection is milsurp with heavy pulls.
The optics I considered were some with low maintenance. I don't plan on shooting three gun at this time, and my shooting will be indoors (so this could affect the passive light from the Acog?). I also am looking for something for short range, and I don't think I need to worry about eye relief.
Intent - yeah just s and giggles and to be honest, just building the gun is probably 80% of the fun for me.
Okay great thanks for the suggestions, I will add those to the list of possible items. What do you think about Colt? Overpriced, good price for value, other? I looked at a Colt lower for 900 bucks, and wondered if we are paying for the name or if there is some merit for the cost.
Some BSF barrels
There is something about carbon and steel you have to love or hate. Personally, it looks pretty darn sweet.
USD 500 bucks for an 18 inch Wyde. Looks great though. Comes in three colours if that's something.
Those barrels look nice. Just checked out their website and they have some cool etching. Where did you see these for sale? Online or?
Sounds like a good overall solution. I suppose barrel twist would be the next thing to think about. Reading about various grain bullets and which twist is best has been interesting. Anyone like shooting heavier grain bullets vs. lighter weight?
Alberta Tactical Rifle and Black Leaf Industries both deal with Proof Research.
Also Irunguns has a few PR barrels on their US website
1-7 was designed to shoot the very long tracer bullet. Unless you are planning on single loading heavy VLDs, there is no point.
1-8 will shoot anything to 80gr, but 80gr VLDs aren't going to go through the magazine.
1-9 will shoot most anything to 75gr.
I consider 1-8 to be best all around.
For service rifle competition, the 69 SMK is just about the standard.
If you are shooting primarily on a short indoor range, there is no reason to use anything other than 55gr fmjs. Shooting a match bullet that is effective past 500m is a waste at 25.
Thanks checked them out and more importantly added a few more vendors to the list. Some of these companies are under the Google search radar, so it's great to see some other options.
Thanks for the advice. Looks like 55 grn. ammo is roughly $0.50 a round, so that isn't too bad and half as much as my SKS.
